Posted on Dec 11, 2015
SGT Larry Prentice
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There are so many of these around. When should they be used? I work in higher education and some of these people use three or four in a row after the name. One instructor uses JD, MBA, MPHR, MSCJ. I'm over here like "I have a Bachelor Degree should I add it? Heck I could go with Lawrence Prentice SGT. USA (RET.) BS right? I am sure that I am over thinking this but......
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Responses: 15
LTC Kevin B.
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Edited 9 y ago
I think a graduate degree or above is appropriate. I put it in my signature block, and that's about it. I also use only the highest degree earned. I think the highest degree trumps the lower degrees, so adding multiple degrees is unnecessary. I suppose an argument can be made if someone has two terminal degrees (like a PhD and JD, or a PhD and MD).
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PO3 Sherry Thornburg
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Decided to go hunt for this answer. Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-nominal_letters.
Basic answer:

In the United States, standard protocol is to place them in this order:
Religious institutes
Theological degrees
Academic degrees
Honorary degrees, honors, decorations
Professional licenses, certifications and affiliations
Retired uniformed service (active duty service brackets the name – e.g., Firefighter John Doe, CFD – and active duty armed services do not display postnominals other than branch of service)[1]

Common practice is to name only the highest degree in a particular discipline (e.g., if one had earned one's BS, MS, and PhD in Biology – even from different schools – as well as an MBA in Management, then the preferred listing would be John Doe, MBA, PhD).
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MSG Wally Carmichael
MSG Wally Carmichael
9 y
That is a very interesting find. Thank you for sharing this information.
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SSG Audwin Scott
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I work in the education field myself and I only have a BAS but who needs to know that? To me it's just those person's in my opinion need this to feel important. It's like some of my co-workers here at work, call them by their first name oh it's Dr., LMBO give me a break lol.
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PO3 Sherry Thornburg
PO3 Sherry Thornburg
9 y
If you go to the trouble of getting a doctorate and it is the basis for your profession, then I'd say they have a right to being referred to as Dr. We have a scout leader we call Dr. He is a Doctor of Chemistry.
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